Banana-shipping case.



N0. 682,282. Patented Sept. IG, 190|., F. SCHMITZ.

BANANA SHIPPING CASE.

(Application led Jan. 14, 1901.)

2 Sheets- Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Alum

N0. 682,282. Patented Sept. I0, i901. F. SCHMITZ. BANANA SHIPPING CASE. (Application filed Jan. 14, 1907..)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

. llnirn STATES artnr firmen.

BANANA=SHIPPING CASE.

SFECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,282, dated September 10, 1901i. Application filed January 14, 1901. Serial No. 43.201. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK SCHMITZ, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Banana-Shipping Cases, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to cert-ain improvements in banana-shipping cases, the purpose of which is to strengthen the same, give increased warmth and strength to the portions surrounding the bananas, and also to center a bunch of bananas by means of the'stein, so as to relieve the fruititself from much of the lateral pressure due to its own weight.

To such end the invention consists in certain novel characteristics, which will be fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of an upright case; Fig. 2, a vertical diametrical section of the same; Fig. 3, a horizontal section in line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a perspective similar to Fig. l, showing an inner case or bag; Fig. 5, a similar perspective of a section of the lower portion of the inner case; Fig. 6, a similar perspective of a sliding cap, and Fig.' 7 a broken detail showing the construction of the bottom portion of the crate.

Referring to the drawings, A is a suitable crate or surrounding framework, preferably made up of a series of vertical slats a and circular hoops a Within the slats secured thereto. The ends of the crate are preferably strengthened by means of an inner hoop a2 within the slats andan outer hoop a3 without the slats, the inner and outer hoops being secured together, as shown in Fig. 7, by nails o4 or other suitable devices passing through both hoops and the intermediate slats and by means of similar fastening devices a5 intermediate between the slats. This makes a sort of a truss-framework of the ends of the crate, giving increased strength and rigidity thereto. Beneath the lower inside hoop a circular bottom piece as is placed, and below the same a small hoop al is secured to the slats to hold the bottom in place and enable the latter to add stiffness to that portion of the crate. Within the crate a sack B is secured thereto, at a short distance Within the same, by means of cords b, said sack being preferably provided with a cone-shaped bot-v tom b' and with sufficient material to tie at theY top at b2. An inner case or bag C, Fig. 4, is provided, fitting within the outer bag, preferably with an open top c and a cone-shaped bottom c. It is preferred to make said inner case of two thicknesses, one of burlap or other a little short of the top of the bag, as shown at q, to avoid the starting of a tear in the paper. This bag is preferably left open along the side seams cG down to the apex of the cone, as seen at c7, and a series of strings r are provided for tying the two flaps together, also strings s for tying the top of the inner bag to the crate. A sliding cap D, coneshaped and constructed of the same material as the inner case, is made of suitable size to slide down within the latter. In packing a bunch of bananas the inner case is thrown open along this side seam and the bananas laid carefully within it. The loose flaps are then folded together and the inner case slipped within the outer, after which the sliding cap is slipped down inside of the inner case, so that it may center the stem of the bunch of bananas, as seen in Fig. 2,l after which the outer bag is tied down over the sliding cap, holding the latter in place. A bunch of bananas thus inclosed Will be carried With little danger of injury and will be effectually protected from severe cold.

The exact details of construction are to some extent immaterial, and the claims are not limited thereto.

I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patentl. In a banana-shipping case, the combination with a suitable bag hung therein, of an outer supporting-crate composed of longitudinal slats and intersecting hoops, said crate having a trussed end composed of an inner hoop within the slats and an outer hoop opposite the same and without the slats, said inner and outer hoops being secured together by suitable means through the slats and also IOO drawn'together and fastened to each other between the same; substantially as described.

2. In a banana-shipping case, the combination with a suitable supporting-crate and a flexible bag hung therein, and out of contact therewith, of an inner bag fitted to the outer bag and open along one side so that the bananas may be laid in said inner bag through said lateral opening; substantially as described.

3. The combination in a banana-shipping case, with an outer supportingcrate, and a flexible bag hung within the same and out of Contact therewith, of an inner bag approximately fitted in the outer bag and having a longitudinal opening along one side and a sliding cap fitted to slide within the case, and of suitable shape to center the banana-stem; substantially as described.

4. In thaliana-shipping case, the combination with an outer supporting-crate and a flexible bag hung within the same, of a ilexible cap fitted to slide down into the bag and center the bananas therein; substantially as described.

5. In a banana-shipping case, the combination with asupporting-crate and alexible bag hung within the same, of a cone-shaped cap fitted to slide down in the crate and center the bananas; substantially as described.

6. In a banana-shipping case, the combination with an outer supporting-crate and a bag hung within the same and out of contact therewith, of an inner loose bag open along one side and having a conical bottom and a conical cap fitted to slide down inside of the bag and center the banana-stem; substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Stateof Illinois, this 20th day of December,

FRANK SCHMITZ. lVitnesscs:

CHAS. O. SHERVEY, S. BLISS. 

